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Rising Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Chukwuka Ofili, widely acclaimed following her record-shattering performances, has reportedly begun the process of transferring allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey.
The move, though unconfirmed by any athletics federation, is gaining traction amid growing frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria AFN.
Speculation first emerged in mid 2024 when Ofili publicly criticized the AFN and Nigerian Olympic Committee after being mysteriously omitted from the women's 100 meters roster at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
That controversy escalated into action. The AFN acknowledged her omission and even offered financial compensation, but tensions persisted.
By August 2024, speculation intensified as an AFN official described her as fast becoming an uncontrollable athlete and admitted she was free to dump Nigeria if she chose.
The official acknowledged that any formal switch of allegiance would require a three year hiatus from competition unless Nigeria issued a release, as stated in World Athletics regulations.
Ofili’s timing aligns with her stellar 2025 results. She opened the outdoor season with a blistering 10.99 seconds in the 100 meters and secured a world record 15.85 seconds in the 150 meters at Atlanta.
Those performances reaffirm her elite status and marketability to national programs seeking to bolster women's sprinting.
A move to Turkey, a nation with growing investment in athletics, would represent a significant shift. If completed, she would join a select group of track athletes who have formally changed national allegiance.
The AFN’s current stance remains neutral. It claims not to block her transition but warns of the three year inactivity rule under World Athletics.
Meanwhile, Nigerians continue to debate. Some resent the potential talent drain, while others empathize with her frustration over administrative mismanagement.
As Ofili’s camp evaluates Turkey’s offering, both in terms of training support and competitive prospects, the athletics world watches closely. At 22, she still has Olympic and world championship dreams ahead.
A successful transfer would elevate her beyond personal achievement into the heart of international athletics politics.
In Nigeria, the episode serves as a stark reminder that elite athletes need more than just talent. They need institutional trust.
As Ofili weighs her path forward, the question remains. Will Nigeria reform and keep her, or will Turkey step in offering her a new national future?
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